Reciprocating Work Feeder Patents (Class 72/405.11)
  • Patent number: 8925363
    Abstract: A split idle station assembly for a transfer press assembly includes a track assembly, a first base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly and a second base assembly slidably connected to the track assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a support configuration with the first base assembly adjacent the second base assembly forming a work piece support assembly for supporting a work piece thereon between work stations of the transfer press assembly. The first and second base assemblies have a split configuration where the first base assembly is moved apart from the second base assembly along the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Thoney R. Charles
  • Patent number: 8887544
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus conveys work that was conduction heated at an energizing position to a processing position that is separated from the energizing position in the horizontal direction in order to perform hot press-forming, and comprises: a holding member that freely clamps both end sections in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated; a drive mechanism that moves the holding member from at least the energizing position to the processing position; and a guide member that extends between the energizing position and the processing position and guides and supports the middle section in the lengthwise direction of the work that has been conduction heated and is being conveyed toward the processing position. A hot press-forming apparatus comprises the conveyor apparatus when conveying conduction heated work to a downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Takaoka Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Ishiguro, Masaki Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 8857239
    Abstract: A connecting device connecting a remaining bar and a movable bar of a transfer bar includes a remaining-side clamp and a movable-side clamp. The clamps respectively have a male fitted portion and a female fitted portion that are fitted to one another around a connecting direction, defining a first connector. A male engagement portion and a female engagement portion are provided inside the clamps, defining a second connector. The female engagement portion of the second connector includes a sphere in a form of a movable member moving in a direction orthogonal to the connecting direction. A movement of the sphere effects an engagement and disengagement of the female engagement portion from the male engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Industries Corp., SR Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nishida, Takashi Moriyasu, Hidetoshi Akashi, Tomoya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8272244
    Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus for stamping can lids or the like, having a bridge (10) supported on a frame and carrying stamping tools (1) actuated vertically in a continuously repeating manner, having a longitudinal conveying device (30) gradually transporting metal sheets (11, 12) under said tools (1) in each case with the latter opened, and having a transverse conveying device (20, 40) laterally displacing to a limited extent the metal sheet (11, 12) moving or moved longitudinally in each case, wherein a separately controllable transverse conveying device (20, 40) is arranged in a stationary position in each case on the feed and discharge side approximately symmetrically to the tools (1) close in front of and behind the latter, said transverse conveying device (20, 40) in each case carrying a driving roller pair (31, 32; 51, 52) as the longitudinal conveying device (30, 50), which delivers the metal sheet (11, 12) in a controlled clamping manner or releases it in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Frank Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7802460
    Abstract: A fixed-side connecting portion 151 is provided on an end of the fixed bar 141 while a movable-side connecting portion 152 is provided on an end of the movable bar 142. An air clamp 16 is housed within the fixed bar 141. By pneumatically driving the air clamp 16 while the movable-side connecting portion 152 is superimposed on an upper side of the fixed-side connecting portion 151, a clamp member 165 protrudes from a case 161 to be downwardly rotated and holds the movable-side connecting portion 152 against the fixed-side connecting portion 151. Since the clamp member 165 is pneumatically driven, a die replacement time can be shortened. In addition, since the air clamp 16 is housed within the fixed bar 141, the size of a transfer feeder 41 can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tokunaga, Masaaki Kashiwa
  • Patent number: 7779664
    Abstract: A device (1) for the stepped displacement of workpieces inside a press (2) or similar processing equipment is provided. The device includes at least one or two gripper rails (4) that can be displaced back and forth in the direction of a longitudinal extent thereof and in the feed direction, the rails being displaced transversely in relation to one another in order to engage workpieces. To execute a gripping movement, the gripper rail (4) includes levers (5) that run at an angle and in opposite directions to one another, whereby the ends of the levers that face away from the gripper rail can be displaced towards or away from one another. Pivoting arms (11), which together with the levers (5) form scissors or half scissors type drives, are hinged on the levers (5) to guide the resultant transverse movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Edrich Beteiligungs GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Nock, Theo Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 7721584
    Abstract: A plurality of workpiece holders 52 are attached on a slide plate 71 on a bar 14 and connected to a movable plate 72 by a plate connecting portion 73. The plate connecting portion 73 includes an engaging portion 731 that is provided on the movable plate 72 and an engaged portion 732 that is provided on the slide plate 71 and engaged with the engaging portion 731. By moving a fixed bar 141 downward relative to a movable bar 142, the movable bar 142 is detached and the engagement of the engaging portion 731 with the engaged portion 732 is released. Since both of the movable bar 142 and the slide plate 71 can be detached by a single downward movement of the fixed bar 141, no actuator is required, thereby simplifying the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tokunaga, Masaaki Kashiwa
  • Patent number: 7690238
    Abstract: A transfer feeder 41 has a lift/clamp device 80 moving a bar 14 in a lift direction and a clamp direction, a plurality of feed carriers 52 installed on the bar 14, and feeding linear motors 53 driving the feed carriers 52 in a feed direction. Since an object driven by the feeding linear motors 53 can be formed small since the feed carriers 52 are installed on the bar 14, the feeding linear motors 53 having a small capacity can be adopted to simplify the structure of a transfer press 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
  • Patent number: 7650774
    Abstract: The present invention intends provided a tandem pressing apparatus which can shorten and the conveying distance i.e. the conveying time without increasing conveying speed of the work. A tandem pressing apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a tandem pressing line constructed by plural tandem presses 10 and 20 disposed side by side, and a work conveying apparatus 70 including a main member and an arm portion. Each of the tandem press includes a bed, 11, plural uprights 13a to 13d studded on the bed, and a slide 15 supported on the uprights to be ascended or descended. The main member 62 and 63 is provided at a portion located inside the uprights of the adjacent two tandem presses constructing the tandem pressing line and does not interfer with the slide. The arm member 65 is held on the main member to transfer the work having been pressed by the upstream tandem press to the downstream tandem press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kato, Hisanori Nakamura, Asahiko Hasebe
  • Patent number: 7275410
    Abstract: A work transfer device employed in a multi-process press machine is provided with a drive unit formed of a servo motor, a cam shaft vertically provided so as to be rotatably driven by the drive unit, a cam mechanism formed of three cams including an X-axis feed cam that moves a feed bar provided with a work holding fitting for holding a work toward an X-axis direction, a Y-axis feed cam that moves the feed bar in parallel toward a Y-axis direction in parallel, and a Z-axis feed cam that moves the feed bar in parallel toward a Z-axis direction, a group of swing levers formed of three types of swing levers which are swingably operated in engagement with the corresponding cams that constitute the cam mechanism, and a link mechanism connected to each end portion of the swing levers such that the feed bar is linearly driven toward the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Takagi Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Niigawa, Hideki Inoue
  • Patent number: 7231801
    Abstract: A panel conveying apparatus for a press line comprises a shuttle feeder and at least one panel position regulating device. The shuttle feeder is configured to be movable between presses. The panel position regulating device is mounted on the shuttle feeder and includes a panel guide unit, a rotating screw axis unit, and a link unit. The panel guide unit is configured to guide the panel. The rotating screw axis unit comprises a rotating screw axis and an actuator rotating the rotating screw axis. The link unit connects the panel guide unit and the rotating screw axis unit such that a vertical position of the panel guide unit is regulated in response to a rotation of the rotating screw axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeong Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 7219525
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus for transferring a work within a press or between presses is provided which includes at least a pair of lift beams and carriers movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beams. A pair of guides are provided on the carriers, and a pair of sub-carriers are movable along the guides in a carrier moving direction by a linear motor which moves the pair of sub-carriers in the carrier moving direction. A cross bar is laterally spanned between the sub-carriers and is provided with a work holding unit which is capable of holding the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichirou Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7210326
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus for transferring a work within a press or between presses is provided which includes at least one lift beam which is provided in parallel with a work transfer direction and which is movable up and down, and which is provided substantially centrally in a work transfer path and outside of a press working area. A carrier is provided at the lift beam and is movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beam. A guide is provided on the carrier, and a sub-carrier is movable along the guide in a carrier moving direction by a linear motor which moves the sub-carrier in the carrier moving direction. A work holding unit which is capable of holding the work is provided at the sub-carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichirou Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7165665
    Abstract: A transfer line for transporting workpieces from a first workstation to an adjacent second workstation comprises a frame with a depositing place for at least one workpiece. It further comprises a transporting beam, each end area of which having respective work supports. The transporting beam is supported for height adjustment between two positions of lifting such that the work supports are located above or below the depositing place. The transporting beam is further designed for longitudinal displacement between positions of transfer for the work supports to coincide horizontally with the depositing place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Cross Hüller GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Casper, Klaus Strohhäcker, Thomas Schlegel
  • Patent number: 7159438
    Abstract: A transfer press provided with a transfer device, having transfer units provided with cross members (37) for which the length is shorter than the width of a tool. The transfer units (29 to 32) are arranged completely between the processing stations or stages, are mounted on the crown or head piece, and are not provided with elements extending beside the tools or between supports of adjacent processing or press stations. Thus, the full width spanned by the press supports can be used for the tools. In addition, tools can be used which are provided with guides, effective between the upper tool and the lower tool, particularly in the side region. The work pieces are handled solely by means of the openings, freed by the tools and pointing counter to the transporting device, wherein no element of the transfer device extends past the side limits of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Lauke, Karl Thudium, Gerd Jäger, Hans Hofele
  • Patent number: 7124616
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus for a transfer press or a press, with which an optimal die can be designed for each process, is provided. For this purpose, the work transfer apparatus for a transfer press includes at least a pair of lift beams (13), carriers (15) movable along a longitudinal direction of the lift beam, paired sub-carriers (50) movable in a carrier moving direction, power transmission means (51, 54) for transmitting carrier driving force to the sub-carriers, and a cross bar (17) which is laterally spanned between the sub-carriers and provided with work holding means (18) capable of holding a work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiichirou Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 7047790
    Abstract: There is provided a workpiece carrier apparatus for transfer press machine in which carrier motion for each press station can be individually set. A guide beam can be raised and lowered by a lifting device so that all levels can be adjusted to match the dies. A guide rail is attached to the guide beam, and carriers are fitted so as to be movable in the feed direction of a press line along the guide rail. A most upstream side carrier on the press line is moved in the feed direction by a first carrier mechanism, and the remaining carriers are connected together by connecting rods so as to be movable in the feed direction as one unit by a second carrier mechanism. Each of the carriers have a servo motor and the amount of raising and lowering of the cross bars can be individually set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Suzuki, Shigeki Narishima, Kohji Osada
  • Patent number: 7032428
    Abstract: A small-sized feeding unit for a transfer press is provided. To this end, the feeding unit comprises: a feed box body one end of which is attached to side faces of uprights; feed driving means having servo motors disposed within the feed box body and pinions rotatively driven by the servo motors; feed racks movable in a feeding direction and meshing with the pinions respectively; feed carriers integrally attached to the feed racks respectively; and feed bars coupled to the feed carriers respectively so as to be movable at least either in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the feeding direction or in a vertical direction, wherein when the feed carriers are positioned at a stroke end on a press body side, the feed carriers are located in the vicinity of the feed driving means with respect to the feeding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Miyaura
  • Patent number: 6910361
    Abstract: A coupling device for releaseably securing together two objects. The coupling device comprises a first housing securable to a first object, a second housing securable to a second object, and an actuator secured to the first housing. The second housing has a hollow bore therein. At least part of the actuator is releaseably receivable within the hollow bore of the second housing. The actuator has an activated and a deactivated configuration. When in its activated configuration at least a portion of the periphery of the actuator is in an expanded state such that when situated within the hollow bore of the second housing the expanded periphery of the actuator releaseably secures the first housing to the second housing. When the actuator is in its deactivated configuration the periphery of the actuator in a retracted state permitting separation and relative movement between the first and second housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Linear Transfer Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Montgomery W. Childs, Malcolm Broadley, Ryan Brown
  • Publication number: 20040261488
    Abstract: A transfer press provided with a transfer device, having transfer units provided with cross members (37) for which the length is shorter than the width of a tool. The transfer units (29 to 32) are arranged completely between the processing stations or stages, are mounted on the crown or head piece, and are not provided with elements extending beside the tools or between supports of adjacent processing or press stations. Thus, the full width spanned by the press supports can be used for the tools. In addition, tools can be used which are provided with guides, effective between the upper tool and the lower tool, particularly in the side region. The work pieces are handled solely by means of the openings, freed by the tools and pointing counter to the transporting device, wherein no element of the transfer device extends past the side limits of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Lauke, Karl Thudium, Gerd Jager, Hans Hofele
  • Publication number: 20040144153
    Abstract: A device for transporting workpieces within a multi-step press with a transverse crossbeam for holding the workpiece. The transverse crossbeam is aligned in its non-operative state at least approximately perpendicularly to the transporting direction of the workpieces. The crossbeam can be oriented in space by at least one driving mechanism. In addition, a second, redundant driving mechanism can be provided to move the transverse crossbeam in an emergency operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Klemm
  • Patent number: 6742375
    Abstract: A system for the transport of workpieces in a forming press, particularly a multistation press, has at least one cross traverse for holding the workpieces, which on at least one of its ends is connected with a lifting and lowering device and can be oriented in a space by the lifting and lowering device. At least one overload protection device is arranged between the cross traverse and the at least one lifting and lowering device for cutting the connection between the cross traverse and the at least one lifting and lowering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Karl Thudium, Andreas Dangelmayr
  • Patent number: 6604402
    Abstract: A transfer device combines an advance-return drive mechanism and a clamp-unclamp drive mechanism. The transfer device operates from only one side of a press to position both drive mechanisms above a pair of feed bars thereby greatly reducing spatial constraints and costs and enabling an increase in speed. The feed bars operate to process a work piece along a process direction. The feed bars are cantilevered from the transfer device for easy use with a press, raw materials feeder, and product gatherer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Aida Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Arai, Nobuyoshi Maeda, Toshihiko Nobuoka
  • Publication number: 20030051980
    Abstract: A work piece transfer assembly (10) for moving a work piece (12) through and between presses comprises a transfer mechanism (14) moveable in a longitudinal (60), a lateral (62), and a vertical direction (64) and having a first end (16) and a second end (18) for supporting at least one main transfer bar (20). The main transfer bar (20) has a predetermined length (22) with a support mechanism (24) attached thereto for supporting a sub-transfer bar (26). The sub-transfer bar (26) includes a plurality of fingers (28) extending from the sub-transfer bar (26) for engaging and moving the work piece (12) between the presses. The support mechanism (24) includes a cradle (30) fixedly attached to the transfer bars (20). The cradle (30) also includes an alignment sub-assembly (38) for securing the sub-transfer bar (26) into the cradle (30) and precisely aligns said sub-transfer bar upon each re-attachment of the sub-transfer bar (26) to the cradle (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Hugh Sofy
  • Patent number: 6481261
    Abstract: There is described a feed mechanism for a feed table for translating sheet metal blanks from as automatic notching curling and beading machine to a bodymaker in the process of tin box manufacture. The mechanism comprises a pair of reciprocally drives longitudinal feed bars provided with spring loaded pawls in their upper surfaces which engage behind the edges of the blanks during a forward motion and slide beneath the blanks during a reverse motion. The difficulty of altering the lateral displacement of the respective feed bars to allow the table to transfer blanks of different sizes is overcome by using a telescopic fixing member which can be extended to an infinitesimal degree and then secured. In practice, both the longitudinal feed bars are secured to a reciprocally driven transfer table within the stationary feed table, and it is the connection of the feed bars to this table that is achieved with telescopic fixing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Meltog Limited
    Inventor: Darren James Ellis
  • Patent number: 6418611
    Abstract: An apparatus for serially making formed parts from a web of deformable material with a stud mounted therein having a plurality of progressive die forming stations for forming multiple parts from the web by advancing the web through each forming station. In one embodiment, the apparatus has feeding, driving and transfer mechanisms for controlling the feeding and insertion of studs at spaced locations into the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: GR Spring & Stamping, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Weber, Wade R. Pennington, Dennis M. Willyard, Jeffrey A. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6314786
    Abstract: A transfer system, particularly for a press facility, has a guiding device on which workpiece holding devices are longitudinally displaceably disposed which belong to two different groups. The longitudinal displacement takes place by way of a driving device which is carried at least partially by the guiding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Karl Thudium, Andreas Dangelmayr
  • Patent number: 6269673
    Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism includes a seat body, a longitudinal first slide member, and a second slide member. The seat body has therein a longitudinal first guiding groove, a second guiding groove intersecting the first guiding groove, and a crossing space at the intersection of the first and second guiding grooves. The first slide member is disposed slidably and reciprocatingly in the first guiding groove across the crossing space, and has a longitudinal cam member extending longitudinally of the first slide member. The second slide member is mounted slidably on the seat body along the direction of the second guiding groove, and incorporates a cam follower which extends into the crossing space to contact the cam member. The cam follower is movable to-and-fro along the second guiding groove when the cam member reciprocates along the first guiding groove, thereby moving reciprocatingly the second slide member along the second guiding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: San Shing Hardware Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Yau Wang
  • Patent number: 6216523
    Abstract: A workpiece transfer assembly (10) for a press of the type including a reciprocating member and a series of in-line stations wherein each station is a further progression of the workpiece W forming process includes a workpiece engaging jaw (12) having clasps (14) attached thereto for clasping the workpieces W. The jaw (12) is moved on three axis, first by a lateral motion mechanism (16) for moving the jaw (12) in a horizontal direction and laterally relative to the work stations into and out of workpiece W engagement position. Second, by a vertical motion mechanism (22) for moving the jaw (12) in a vertical direction relative to the workstations. Third, in a linear motion mechanism (40) for moving the jaw (12) in a horizontal direction and linearly relative to the work stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: HMS Products Co.
    Inventors: Hugh Sofy, Dennis Farhat
  • Patent number: 6192285
    Abstract: A controller for a work transfer system, capable of performing precise positioning of feed bars during sole driving of the transfer system and simplified in structure to contribute to savings in installation space and cost. The controller has a cam angle detector mounted on a cam shaft for feed cams and controls servo motors for respective lift bars according to information which is related to cam angle of the feed cams detected by the cam angle detector and looked up in a motion table set by a transfer controlling PLC serving as a motion table setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukiyoshi Takayama